From Feudal System to Global Power: Japan's Meiji Revolution

The dominant theme of this week’s readings revolved around the complete overhaul of the Meiji Ishin in replacing the Japanese feudal system, and Japan’s attempt toward westernization. Especially during a time where social-political unrest was stirring, the uncertainty of the masses set the stage for a major revolution from a feudal state into a modern nation-state. Thus, the Japanese adopted a plethora of different western practices in its attempt to catch up to other global players; three major factors included a change in governance, religion, production, and technology inspired by western influences.

The Najita text discussed how the transition from a feudal system into a strong, centralized nation-state was not an easy process; Japan has faced predicaments of integrating its old traditions with new attempts to modernize, struggling to reconcile and decide which factors to abandon, and which to keep. For instance, the once honorable samurai warrior found himself almost completely stripped of his power; the samurais were swiftly and effectively declassed,  and had their hereditary stipends terminated and replaced with fixed-value bonds. To cushion the jarring declassment, the phrase 'shizoku' was used to refer to them and maintain what little social dignity that the Tokugawa aristocracy had left. Beyond this, samuris were "denied their conspicuous symbols of class identification and were ordered to shed their topknot hairstyle and, more crucially, their powerful swords" (82, Najita). As a medium towards centralization, the new Japanese government also mandated policies such as an universal education system and military conscription, inferably to promote a common, shared cultural fabric and strengthen Japanese nationalism sentiment. There was initial controversy over whether the social reorganization would either unify aristocrats and commoners together, or create a more divisive state. Former elites suddenly found themselves having to compete with ambitious farmers determined to make a life for themselves.

Fukuzawa and the other two readings discuss the dynamic changes in the national religion as being reflective of the drastic reforms that the Meiji was undertaking. Specifically, Buddhism and Christianity. The entrance of Christianity into Japan, and its growing appeal, gave rise to a new wave of intellectual thought and social-political attitudes. For instance, many Japanese priests championed for progressive beliefs such as universal suffrage, the separation of church and state (marked by the Great Teaching campaign), the participation of women in society, and other values of equality. This reflects that Japan was not only attempting to modernize in terms of its political and economic structure, but also in its cultural ideologies. Aligning with the political and economic changes to governance, religion in Japan sought to unify the people by providing an equal platform and common identity-- reinforcing the nationalist sentiment of the newly established nation-state.

(445 words)